White metal. 50.9mm. 45.65g. Signed J. MOORE. Plain edge. The only one seen by a number of experts in the field of Canadian medals. R.W. McLachlan writes in Canadian Numismatics (1886): 

“John Frothingham was for a long time one of our prominent hardware merchants, and although he has been dead some years, the firm of Frothingham & Workman, of which he was the head, still continues to do a flourishing business. The British and Canadian School is the longest established of any of the common schools in Montreal; it also has passed under control of the Commissioners. This medal is still presented annually in bronze by the executors of the estate.” 

In my description of a silver example offered as part of the Joffre Collection in 2022, I noted:

Frothingham also served as President of the City Bank of Montreal from 1834 to 1849 and was active in the Montreal business community during the mid-19th century. The British and Canadian School was established in 1822, became part of the Protestant School Board of Montreal in 1866, and closed in 1894. The building still stands at 1009 Coté Street in Montreal’s Chinatown district. It was in the news recently after being purchased by developers. 

Lr. 637 is rarely seen. A bronze example was offered as part of Jeffrey Hoare’s Sale #6 in 1988. A named example in silver sold as part of the Saul Hendler Collection in 1996. Jeffrey Hoare Auctions offered another named silver example in April 2013.

This white metal representative appears to be even rarer. It may have been struck as an original trial piece to test the dies, perhaps on a cast planchet. It may also have been struck from rusted dies, possibly during the early 20th century. The brilliant surfaces appear either porous or rough with deep mirroring in the fields and terrific contrast.